Friday, August 12, 2011

Alright I've just been sitting here mulling over the so called "levite" dress that I've supposedly been sewing and I've discovered what is bothering me about it. The darn thing isn't a Levite anything. Here is the picture on the pattern.

I dashed up to my sewing room and pulled out the pattern to have a look at it with my own eyes. Somehow I always seem to get caught up in the excitement of trying out a new pattern and I don't pay any attention. It says specifically on the pattern to cut straight across for the bodice of the Levite. I completely bypassed it. *Sigh*

If I hadden't been having a late night peek at my

KCI Fashion: A History From the 18th to the 20th Century I'd have never caught it and gone on and on posting this as the title of my posts. Well henceforth this particular piece of work shall be known as the robe a l'anglaise with a time frame of somewhere in the 1780's.

Much better without the ruffled petticoat

I'll still be sticking with my original ideas for details and so on but now I will be going forward with more understanding. And anyway, I wouldn't be Madam Novice if I didn't make mistakes.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

I've jumped back in the sewing saddle and worked furiously on my robe a l'anglaise. It went amazing quickly, I attribute this to having completed one gown from the same pattern. Which is kinda annoying... due to the fact that they are annoyingly similar from behind. Hmmmm. Some food for thought for me I guess.

Back View

I'm rather happy with the way the pleats turned out.

I was much more careful and didn't rush through it with my only goal to be finished.

Close up of pleats. I pleated them in a different direction this time and I'm happy with the results.

Frumptacular much?

Not sure if I'm diggin the ruffled petticoat with this or at all really. It reminds me of a tablecloth my sister had way back in the early 90's. I just wanted to see how one would go with this. I'd planned on using a white batiste to make one but I may just go with plain.

As for adding trimming for this dress I'm using an example from my Fashion: A history from the 18th and 19th Century.

Around the top of the bodice, down the front and around the sleeve there is a double layer of sheer pleated material. I'll pick up some organza in white for this. On top of that there is a ribbon. I'm thinking of trying to find a velvet ribbon in a complementary color. Also down the front there are buttons and I'd like to try my hand at using self fabric ones. If not a nice metal button should be alright.

When I'm all done I have to work on accessories for this one. I just never seem to be finished.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

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